Teacher's Pets

The first-ever report card on America's youngest students finds
that most come prepared to learn. Nearly all children entering
kindergarten - 94 percent - can count to ten, and two out of three
can recite their ABC's, reports the U.S. Department of Education in
study, America's Kindergartners. The study of 22,000 youngsters
will continue for the next six years as the department tracks their
progress through elementary school. While 90 percent of parents say
their little ones make friends often or very often, one out of
three admits that their child argues with others just as
frequently. The report also highlights problems facing some tykes:
Children in poverty, single-parent homes, and non-English-speaking
families are less likely to be read to at home and so score lower
on cognitive skills.